A Work Injury Lawyer’s Guide To Work Injuries
Accidents happen. They are an unfortunate part of life but that doesn’t mean you should have to bear the burden of a work injury alone. If you were injured in a workplace accident, you likely face mounting medical bills, rehabilitation expenses and other costs – all while being physically unable to go to work and get a paycheck.
The good news is that this less than ideal situation doesn’t have to be permanent. An experienced Wisconsin work injury lawyer can help you identify your rights and pursue a claim for the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to for your medical costs, lost earnings and more. This may be in addition to a personal injury claim against a third party that provides additional benefits for pain and suffering.
When To Get A Lawyer For Work Injury Or Accident
There’s never a bad time to speak to a work injury lawyer after being injured at work. However, in general this is a “the earlier the better” situation.
Why?
Because your employer and their workers’ comp insurance company will be taking action immediately to limit their liability and avoid paying out the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. You need someone looking out for your interests after an injury, making sure you get the treatment you need and the workers’ comp benefits you deserve under workers’ compensation coverage.
The first thing you should do after being injured at work or in a work-related accident is to notify your employer of your injury. The second thing you should do is be seen by a medical doctor to receive the initial treatment you need. These steps create a paper trail or your injury and can help preserve your ability to make a workers’ compensation claim.
The next step is to seek the advice of an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer who can help you identify your rights and create a plan for obtaining the full benefits you are entitled to for your medical expenses and lost earnings. It’s best to speak to an attorney before you submit your claim. You have nothing to lose, as your workers’ compensation lawyer will handle your case on a contingency fee basis, which means you will pay nothing out of pocket for their representation. Their fees will eventually come from a portion of your workers’ compensation benefits. Attorney fees are only paid if your claim is approved or your appeal is successful, and you receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Personal Injury Claims Versus Workers’ Compensation Claim
Depending on the specific circumstances of your work-related injury, you may be able to obtain personal injury compensation in addition to workers’ compensation benefits. It’s important to have an experienced injury lawyer on your side to identify all available sources of compensation and create a strategic plan for obtaining them for you.
Personal injury claims can result in financial rewards for damages such as medical bills, pain and suffering, lost earning capacity and even damage to your property. Workers’ compensation benefits are specific to your medical bills and lost wages that resulted from your workplace or work-related injury.
Let’s take a look at a hypothetical situation that could result in a claim for workers’ compensation benefits and a personal injury lawsuit. Joe Worker is running job-related errands during the day, driving from a sales meeting to a warehouse on the other end of town to pick up some supplies for the office. On the way back he is struck by a negligent driver, resulting in a serious spinal cord injury that leaves him unable to work.
Joe Worker would be able to submit a workers’ compensation claim since the accident occurred in the course of performing job-related duties. Additionally, a personal injury lawsuit could be brought against the negligent driver who caused the accident that injured him. This is known as a third-party personal injury claim (the negligent driver is the third party). Another example of a potential third-party claim would be a suit against an employer who created an unsafe work environment.
In addition to workers’ compensation laws, we connect you with a personal injury lawyer who is well-versed in all aspects of injury law, including personal injury and wrongful death. This is important, as our knowledge of issues such as insurance subrogation can help us maximize the benefits you receive from your claim or a combination of claims.
Reasons To Hire An Injury Attorney For A Workplace Injury Claim
First of all, you don’t know what you don’t know. No matter how smart and capable you are, you can’t know everything, much less the ins and outs of the workers’ compensation process. Fortunately for you, we do know all the ins and outs of injury law, including the workers’ compensation and personal injury claims process.
Investigative resources are another reason to hire a proven workers’ compensation lawyer to handle your claim. We will investigate your workplace injury or accident to determine whether the property owner, product manufacturer, or on-site subcontractors bear any responsibility for your injuries and associated expenses. This is important, as third-party personal injury claims are the only way to obtain compensation for your pain-and-suffering in addition to what you receive for your medical bills and lost earnings through your workers’ compensation claim.
Our lawyers can help you avoid the potential pitfalls of work injury law. For example, we can make sure you do not prematurely accept a settlement that prevents you from pursuing a third-party injury claim for additional benefits. You only get one chance to maximize your worker’s comp benefits and personal injury compensation; an experienced lawyer can help you make it count.
You don’t have to be tough all the time. We know there’s a tendency – particularly in males – to attempt to “tough it out” or avoid being “one of those people” who would sue their employer or rely on the legal system to make ends meet. Workers’ compensation and personal injury claims – like any form of insurance – exist for a reason; it’s the system that’s been set up to make sure that people do not bear the burden alone for accidents that multiple parties contributed to. You work hard to make a living and take pride in getting by on your own elbow grease, but there’s nothing wrong with reaching out for some help when a workplace injury leaves you unable to punch your time card. Sometimes the toughest thing you can do is have the courage to accept the help you deserve.
Free Consult With A Workers’ Comp Attorney
Just as each injured worker is unique, every compensation claim is different. If you wish to discuss the specifics of your work injury with a proven workers’ comp lawyer, we look forward to the conversation. We can be strong advocates for your rights and provide you with the information you need to have peace of mind about the road that lies ahead in your recovery and during your workers’ compensation case. Call our law firm today toll-free at 1-855-NICOLET or contact Nicolet Law online for a free consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney.